Area Briefs

August 18, 2005

SCHOOLS

Lafayette orientation

All rising ninth-graders and students new to Lafayette High School are invited to attend orientation 9:30 a.m.-1:15 p.m. Aug. 25.

Be prepared for food and lots of information. Transportation will be provided; be at your bus stop 10 minutes before schedule. Also, student planners will be on sale at orientation for $4 while supplies last.

For more information, call 565-0373.

Employment program

A new program is available to Jamestown and Lafayette High School seniors. Students will be placed in a paid career-based position, alternating employment and school full-time every week for an entire school calendar year.

Parents or students who are interested in more information may contact Robert Horvath, technical cooperative education coordinator, at 259-3627 or horvathr@wjcc.k12.va.us.

LIBRARY

Grant database added

The Williamsburg Regional Library has added the GrantSelect database to the library's collection of online resources, which patrons can access at the Williamsburg or James City County libraries or remotely over the Internet.

This resource was made possible by a grant from the Friends of Williamsburg Regional Library. GrantSelect is a searchable database of funding sources that lists more than 10,000 grants and funding opportunities, including from state and federal governments, corporations, foundations and associations. People seeking funding for nonprofit organizations such as churches, health-related agencies and civic associations may find GrantSelect helpful.

GrantSelect can be accessed through the Williamsburg Regional Library's Web site at www.wrl.org by clicking the "Online Databases" link. For more information, call 259-4042.

JAMES CITY COUNTY

Voter registration

The general election scheduled for Nov. 8 includes races for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, Board of Supervisors and School Board for Jamestown and Powhatan Districts and two local bond referendums.

For information on registering to vote or absentee voting, call 253-6868.

The last day to register is Oct. 11.

Emergency broadcasts

James City County and the city of Williamsburg have partnered with radio station WMBG AM 740 to become the localities' official radio station for emergency broadcasts.

People can tune to WMBG AM 740 for hourly updates during emergencies or disasters. During Hurricane Isabel, many people relied on the radio during long power outages. Now people can tune to the official radio station for continuous, up-to-date county information such as office hours, shelter locations, water-usage advisories, debris pickup and the status of recovery efforts. Citizens are encouraged to keep a battery-operated radio and extra batteries in their emergency-preparedness kit.

Rain sensor rebate

The James City Service Authority has created a new Rain Sensor Rebate program to reinforce water conservation efforts.

Rain sensors prevent irrigation systems from turning on during and after a rainstorm and thus limit wasteful water use. Authority customers with irrigation systems installed before March 8 can receive up to $50 toward the purchase of a rain sensor.

To qualify for the rebate program, customers must set the sensors to a quarter-inch. Print out a rebate form at www.jccEgov.com or pick one up at the authority offices, building E, in the county complex at 101 Mounts Bay Road or the satellite office at 3127 Forge Road.

Watershed protection mini-grants are available through James City County's Protecting Resources in Delicate Environments program.

Neighborhoods, storm-water-facility owners and community groups can qualify for up to $500. Projects emphasizing water quality improvement through watershed restoration/protection include tree planting, wetland planting, and stream bank stabilization. The county recently awarded mini- grants to the Villages of Westminster, Season's Trace, Rolling Woods, Settler's Mill and Briarwood Condos for their restoration projects.

The program is part of PRIDE's watershed education initiative to enhance watershed protection and improve water quality.